If you are new to smart home products, the HomeKit ecosystem might appear complicated and confusing. However, getting started is easy and uncomplicated.
After setting everything up, it does take some time figure out how everything works within the system. But once you do put in that effort, your life will become much more efficient as a result of being able to automate interconnected electronics devices.
What Exactly Is HomeKit?Â
HomeKit is Apple's smart home platform that allows you to control various internet-connected devices in your house, such as thermostats and plugs, with Apple products.
What Exactly Can HomeKit Do?Â
The main purpose of Homekit is to link up with other smarthome products, while using the whole Apple eco-system and interface.
HomeKit allows you to control your home's lights, door locks, thermostats, and other accessories from your iPhone, iPad, or Siri. You can also use the Home app to create scenes, set up automation, and more.
Controlling your smart home products with just your voice or iPhone is already super convenient, but HomeKit takes it to the next level by allowing you to control multiple devices at once using scenes or automations.
For example:Â
By automating your home, you can set certain HomeKit devices to turn on or off at specific times. You could also create an entire scene, like a "Good night" one where the doors are locked and the garage is closed whenever motion is detected. With this feature, came lights will automatically turn on and the thermostat will lower to save energy.
What You Need To Get To Start- RequirementsÂ
To start, you would need a HomeKit home hub system, like the Apple HomePod Mini.
This equipment that uses iCloud to communicate instructionswith HomeKit accessories, like turning lights off or on, and streaming from a security camera. You can do all of this remotely, even when you are not in your home.
By incorporating a HomeKit hub with your Apple ID, you enable your other electronic devices: to communicate safely with one another, even when you are away from home and using different Wi-Fi networks.
Using HomeKit requires an ‌iPhone‌, ‌iPad‌, or iPod touch running the latest version of iOS, along with at least one HomeKit-enabled device.
Using the Home app on the Mac requires macOS Mojave or later, and to control devices when
away from home, an ‌Apple TV‌, ‌iPad‌, HomePod, or ‌HomePod mini‌ is required to serve as a Home Hub.
Setting It UpÂ
- Purchase HomeKit Hub - Open Up The Home App
The "Home" app comes pre-installed on all iOS devices. After you purchase the HomeKit hub and Apple TV, open up the app to get started.
- Sign In To Your iCloud Account
You wil lbe prompted to sign in to your iCloud account.
- Add Your Accessory
Start to add an accessory - simply tap the "Add Accessory" button on the main screen of the Home app. After that, follow the steps that appear; they will guide you through using your rear camera.
Every HomeKit product comes with a code that you can scan using your camera. This adds the device to the HomeKit framework, and then to finish adding it to organisation of 'My Devices' in HomeKit, and follow through with the next few steps of the setup and synchronisation.
- Start Customising!
Now that your accessory is added, it's time to start customising! You can do things like change the name of your accessory, add it to rooms and zones, and even create automations.
Limitations & UpdatesÂ
There are several Apple devices that can act as a home hub for your HomeKit setup, such as your: HomePod, HomePod mini, iPad, Apple TV.
The AppleTV has to be 3rd generation or later in order for it to work.
The 3rd generation Apple TV's functionality falls short in comparison to other devices as it cannot share access to your accessories with others outside of the house and does not support camera video streams. Although, it can be used remotely to control your devices.
As of iOS16, the iPad will no longer be compatible with HomeKit as a hub. Once updated to that software version, users will instead need to use either a HomePod, HomePod mini, or Apple TV.
Can The HomeKit Hub Instruct Non-HomeKit Devices?Â
There are many types of HomeKit smart accessories, and Apple actually gives out a comprehensive list of HomeKit compatible devices, from: air conditioners, to cameras, doorbells, fans, tolights, and more.
It really depends if the smart device is HomeKit compatible.
Developing a product that will be compatible with multiple devices and platforms can be tricky- especially because some use Bluetooth or Wi-Fi while others might use Zigbee. Plus, if manufacturers want their products to work with common systems like HomeKit, Google Assistant, or Alexa, they have to develop them specifically for those compatibility standards.
The Home-A-Genius Difference - HomeKit CompatibleÂ
With Home-A-Genius hub and eco-system, we are able to integrate seamlessly with all of your apple products, as well as other smart devices of other brands!
The best part, you can choose between using the Apple interface or our all-in-1 Home-A-Genius App and interface.
Access all your smart devices easily: Apply TV, HomePod Mini, and use Siri to turn on the lights. In addition, we will be able to do up a fully integrative smart floor plan for you - that you can access in your smart phones or tablets.
We one of the few in the market that is able to integrate Apple HomeKit with our smart home solution. Interested to get your HomeKit setup with us? Let us know!
